...but how do I capture this magical effect?

MORNING SHIMMER

Soft Pastel on Paper, Image 22.5" x 21", Framed OD. 29" x 27.5", Click on the image for more information!

Shown at the Salmagundi Club Annual Juried Members Exhibition 2024

Out for my walk with my dogs on a sunny winter morning, I was in awe of  the way the sunlight glimmered and sparkled on the snow. It can be so bright that it hurts the eyes but is welcomed with so many gray days in the northeast. 

I must paint this I thought but how do I capture this magical effect? It is like glitter. Yes, I did just that! Trying to adhere the glitter, subtly, sparingly, scraping and adding pastel to keep the glimmer to a subtle surprise.

MORNING SHIMMER was the first of the two paintings I created from the same location experimenting with glitter.

GLIMMER

Soft Pastel on Paper, Image 22" x 12",  Framed OD. 27" x 7", Click on the image for more information!

Shown at the 15th Pastel World MASTER DIVISION exhibit at the International Association Of Pastel Societies 2024 convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This is the second painting from the same location. Let me walk you through my process.

 1.     2.   3. 

1. I toned the paper in a warm color intending to let that warm show through. Then I lightly started sketching in my main shapes.

2. Adding color and adjusting the shapes making sure the diagonal bands were not the same width. This was an important composition consideration.

3. Staring to add more detail and adding the light.

4. It wasn't until I had added many layers of pastel and the painting was close to completion that I added the glitter. Then I applied more pastel to help transition the glitter. I was happy with the results! Now when you see the painting there is a hint of sparkle when the light hits it and it moves with the viewer. See detail below.

4.

I just love to try new things and experiment! Why not? What different materials and techniques have you tried?

Happy Painting, Exploring and Seeing. Surround yourself with Beauty!

~ SUSAN

Did you know that I will be randomly selecting someone from my email list to GIVE AWAY one of my "PETITE" paintings, FREE, once a year? Tell your friends to join today!

YOU CAN JOIN MY EMAIL LIST HERE ----> https://www.susanmstory.com/email-newsletter

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 PS. I am pleased to announce that I am represented by https://www.jgernonframing.com/#/   AND  some of my work is available now on Artsy.  https://www.artsy.net/artist/susan-m-story

from my Bubble

Photo by Nannette Bedway

 https://nannettebedwaystudio.com